Zimbabwe remains “very important” to the UK says British Minister

Zimbabwe remains very important to the United Kingdom. This is reflected in Britain’s 80 million pounds aid programme to provide essential services to the people of Zimbabwe.

This was said by Henry Bellingham, the British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa and the United Nations) in the Foreign and Commonwealth office on Tuesday.

“We have contact with all parties in the Inclusive Government and are continuing our policy of supporting reformers, including in the region, as they work towards free and fair elections,” he said.

Relations between Zimbabwe and Britain, which were bitter during the tenure of the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, seem to have improved since the Conservative Party under David Cameron came to power.

Zimbabwe is planning to hold elections next year but it appears everything now depends not just on the approval of a new constitution but the availability of funds as well.

Most Members of Parliament, perhaps for selfish reasons, prefer the elections in 2013 when their five-year term ends.

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